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Night Skiing at Shawnee Peak and Sleeping in a Yurt on the Mountain

3/12/2013

9 out of 10 people enjoy hearing or saying the word “yurt.” I know this based on the research I conducted before spending a night in a yurt on top of Shawnee Peak in Maine.

You are probably wondering about the one person who doesn’t enjoy hearing or saying the word “yurt.” What’s his deal? Who knows. I just thought the statistic would sound more scientific if I included a dissenter. The truth is, 100% of the people I spoke with enjoyed hearing or saying the word “yurt.” Yurt. It’s fun to read the word too, isn’t it?

Like many ski resorts in Maine this winter, Shawnee Peak in Bridgton, has been blessed with great snow. An hour’s drive from Portland, it’s a perfect-sized mountain (not too big and not too small) with diverse terrain, night skiing, and a 75-year history. I had skied this mountain ever so briefly–one run to be exact–during my Ski Maine Three-Day Odyssey a few years ago. I was psyched to have more time–one night and one day–to get to know the mountain better.

On the evening of this adventure, as we loaded the chairlift, I had my backpack stuffed with ski gear, plus a bag full of food provisions for the evening and morning–and an extra-large sleeping bag. The plans for the evening and next day: ski, eat, sleep, eat, ski. Yurt.

0 out of 10 people enjoy hearing or saying the word “outhouse.” Yurt living is not glamorous, mostly because it involves an outhouse, no running water, limited night-time lighting, and close living quarters (two bunk beds for four adults). And yet, you probably just smiled again when you read the word yurt. That’s because yurts are magical little huts in the forest.

The yurt was tucked off of the trail, and we stowed our gear and headed out for a few twilight lift-serviced runs. The snow was gently falling and it glistened under the bright lights shining on the ski trail. Without many other skiers on the mountain, the evening seemed calm and quiet.

When our stomachs started to grumble we headed back to the yurt. Dinner was reheated meatloaf and baby red potatoes with olive oil and fresh rosemary cooked on the propane stove. Dessert was fudge. After dessert entertainment included watching the groomer make fresh corduroy, and watching Chad make the fire.